Optical communication system with two parallel transmission paths

ABSTRACT

In an optical communication link a first node ( 30 ) with transmission means ( 50 ) and a second node with receiving means ( 40 ) are connected by at least two optical fibre transmission paths ( 100,200 ). One path serves as the working path, while the remaining path or paths serve as protection paths. The transmission means in the first node is connected to an optical signal power splitter ( 60 ) which couples the signal power from the transmitting means unequally into the different transmission paths. This uneven coupling of signal power imposes greater losses in one path than in the other or others. By arranging the splitter to couple a higher proportion of the transmitted optical power into the path that has the highest inherent losses the additional loss imposed on this path is reduced. Thus the maximum path loss between any two nodes can be minimised. This in turn means that the link length and also the size of the network is virtually unaffected by using the same transmitter.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention is broadly directed to optical transmission systems. It has particular relevance to optical systems with failure protections arrangements.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Optical communication systems presently carry large amounts of data. A fibre break or other interruption along a line can thus potentially affect multiple services. In order to restore these services with the minimum of delay, the network must rerout the traffic via an alternative path. This is accomplished in the SONET/SDH system by electrically switching and routing traffic signals in every node. When a fibre break or other disturbance is detected which prevents transmission over a particular link, the nodes can be reconfigured to switch traffic signals via alternative nodes.

[0003] However, for WDM systems and more generally for optical networking, where multiple protocols, such as IP, ATM, Gigabit Ethernet and the like, coexist with SONET/SDH systems, electrical switching in each node is not practicable.

[0004] Such networks are therefore typically configured with at least one alternative path formed by a separate direct optical link between the nodes in a network. The alternative path is commonly called a protection path. If information does not arrive via the first path or working path, transmission is switched to the alternative path. For total protection, complete redundancy is required, with the fill link including transmitters and receivers duplicated. However, such an arrangement is naturally very costly, particularly for WDM systems as multiple transmitters are required for each path. Moreover, for many applications the degree of protection assured by fill redundancy is not needed.

[0005] A reduction in cost is obtained if a single transmitter is used for both the working and protection paths. This may be achieved by providing a switch to control the connection between the two paths and the single transmitter. However in operation, information about a failure in one path must be obtained and relayed to the switch control.

[0006] The need for switching may be overcome by dividing the signal power from the transmitter equally between the two paths using a splitter. However the division of power in this way will impose a 3 dB loss on each path, in addition to the loss in the splitter itself. These additional losses reduce the possible transmission distance without amplification. Fibre losses are typically of the order of 0.25 dB/3 km. Imposing a power reduction of 3 dB on a path effectively shortens the possible link distance by around 12 km.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical communication system that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art systems.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an optical communication system that maximises the transmission distance between nodes and is inexpensive to implement.

[0009] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a network node for use in such an optical communication system that enables the optimisation of transmission distance without the duplication of transmitters.

[0010] In an optical communication link according with the present invention a first node with transmission means and a second node with receiving means are connected by at least two optical fibre transmission paths in parallel. One path serves as the working path, while the at least one further path is configured as the protection or standby path. The transmission means in the first node is connected to the parallel transmission paths via an optical signal power splitter which divides the signal power from the transmitting means unequally between the transmission paths.

[0011] This uneven coupling of signal power effectively imposes greater losses in one path than in the other or others. The splitter can thus be arranged to couple a higher proportion of the optical power received from the transmitter into the path that has the higher inherent losses and so reduce the additional loss imposed on this path. The other path or paths will then be subjected to a greater additional signal power loss. However, since the remaining path or paths have a lower inherent loss, they are better able to tolerate a larger proportion of the additional loss.

[0012] Accordingly, by appropriate selection of the splitting ratio and appropriate arrangement of the splitter, the maximum path loss between any two nodes can be minimised. This in turn means that the link length and also the size of the network is virtually unaffected by using the same transmitter.

[0013] Preferably, the splitting ratio of the splitter is selected to substantially equalises the signal power received through each optical fibre path. However, this is not obligatory. Instead, a network may comprise only splitters with a limited number of different splitting ratios arranged to distribute the path loss more uniformly, but not necessarily equally between different paths between network nodes.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the splitter has an adjustable splitting ratio such that the ratio of signal powers coupled into different paths may be changed to take account of modifications in a link or the effects of ageing. The splitter is then adjustable such that the signal power coupled into each path results in the losses on each path being substantially equal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments that are given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures:

[0016]FIG. 1 schematically depicts an optical communication network, and

[0017]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates part of a network node in accordance with the present invention for use in the network of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 shows an optical communications network consisting of a plurality of nodes 30. The nodes are connected in a ring by two transmission paths 10, 20 formed by optical fibres. The nodes 30 have been labelled A, B, C, D and E in the figure. Each transmission path 10, 20 is unidirectional. As indicated by the arrows, data carried on transmission path 10 flows in a clockwise direction around the ring, while the flow of data on transmission path 20 is in an anticlockwise direction. The network is carrying wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals, possibly in parallel with other traffic services.

[0019] Turning now to FIG. 2 a portion of a network node 30 is illustrated. The node 30 includes two receivers 40, each coupled to one of the fibres 10, 20 by an optical coupler 70. The optical coupler 70 is preferably of a type incorporating a filter for filtering out the wavelength or waveband destined to be received by the node 70. Such couplers are generally known in the art and commercially available and will not be described in more detail here. Signals at all other wavelengths are allowed to pass through the node 30. It will be understood that the pair of couplers 70 in a node are substantially identical as they will be carrying the same traffic services. The same is true for the receivers 40. The receivers 40 are preferably connected to a control processor (not shown) which determines which of the two paths is currently operating as the working path. The node 30 further includes a single transmitter arrangement 50 that is connected to both optical fibres 10, 20. This connection is achieved with an optical power splitter 60 which is coupled to a single fibre carrying the transmitted signals and divides the transmitted signal power between two fibres. Each of these two fibres is then connected to one of the two separate optical fibre paths 10, 20 via a respective coupler 80. The couplers 80 are naturally designed to add the same wavelengths or wavelength bands as the couplers 70 are designed to drop. While only one add 80 and one drop coupler 70 have been illustrated for each node, it will be understood that other filter components of couplers may be connected to the fibres 10 and 20 in the nodes 30. This is particularly the case when several channels are dropped in a node or different traffic services utilise the same network. For example when a SONET/SDH system exists in parallel with a WDM system, other add drop couplers may filter out SONET traffic separately. Service channels carried by the fibres 10, 20, for example as a pilot tone, may also require separate filtering.

[0020] It will be understood that FIG. 2 shows only a schematic representation of part of a node 30. The remaining elements of the node are well known in the art and will not be discussed in further detail.

[0021] Returning now to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the fibres 10 and 20 can serve as two separate transmission paths. For example, when traffic is sent from node A to node E it may be routed through a working path on fibre 10 indicated by arrow 100, or on a protection path through fibre 20 indicated by arrow 200. The traffic from node E to node A is shown by arrows 300 and 400. Either path may serve as the working or protection path. It is further apparent that traffic sent on the working path 100 traverses well over half the ring through nodes B, C and D before reaching the coupler 70 of node E. Conversely the protection path 200 passes directly from node A to the coupler 70 in node E and traverses only a small segment of the ring. The two paths carry data simultaneously. The splitter 60 in node A divides the signal power from the transmitter 50 between the two paths. However the working path will have the higher power losses owing to the longer fibre length and the several add/drop couplers 70, 80 of the intermediate nodes B, C and D.

[0022] The losses on this longer path limit the total length of the link. The system requires a minimum power level at the receiver which in turn limits the maximum link loss that can be tolerated. When the signal power from the transmitter 50 in the sending node is split equally between the two paths, i.e. when the splitter 60 has a splitting ratio of 50:50, both the working and protection paths will be subjected to the same additional power loss of 3 dB when the excess losses caused by the splitter 60 itself are disregarded. This further loss shortens the possible link length still more. For example the power loss through an optical fibre is typically of the order of 0.25 dB/km. An additional loss of 3 dB thus reduces the possible fibre length, and therefore the total size of the network, by 12 km.

[0023] In accordance with the invention, the splitter 60 is chosen to substantially equalise the losses experienced on the working and protection paths 100, 200, such that the signal power received by the two receivers 40 is also substantially equal. This is achieved by dividing the signal power from the transmitter 50 unevenly between the two fibres 10, 20 using the splitter 60, such that the path that has the highest losses by virtue of its structure receives the major portion of the signal power, and thus the minor portion of additional losses. For example, it is assumed that the maximum allowed link loss supported by the system is 26 dB. The working path 100 has a link loss of 25 dB and the protection path 200 has a link loss of 5 dB. The working path can tolerate only 1 dB of additional power loss. The protection path 200, on the other hand, can tolerate an additional 21 dB of power loss. If a splitter 60 is to substantially equalise the losses through these two paths it should have a power splitting ratio of around 20 dB giving an ideal equal loss of 25.4 dB for each path. A splitter 60 with a split or coupling ratio of 1:99 would provide a satisfactory result. This should be compared with the case when a 50:50 splitter is used on this same link. The total losses in the working and protection paths 100, 200 would be 28 dB and 8 dB, respectively, which clearly exceeds the maximum permitted link loss.

[0024] The splitter 60 is preferably a fused coupler. Such couplers are generally know in the art and are commercially available with a range of different splitting ratios. However, other suitable components capable of dividing the signal power unequally between two or more paths may also be used.

[0025] In practice additional component losses imposed in splitters with a splitting ratio that is smaller than 1:99 will mean that these are not useful for most applications. Standard commercial fused couplers with a splitting ratio of 1:99 typically have a loss of less than 0.2 dB for the 99% path. In the example given above this would lead to a total loss of around 25.2 dB loss for the working path which is within the acceptable loss limit. Standard 50:50 fused couplers actually add an additional loss of around 3.4 dB. The arrangement using a 1:99 coupler thus reduces the link power for the working path by only 0.2 dB compared with a fully duplicated link having separate transmitters for each path. However, it provides a 3.2 dB increase in power compared to the arrangement using a 50:50 splitter 60.

[0026] The loss in a transmission path is calculated on installation of a system. The required splitting ratios of the splitters 60 are then selected on the basis of the calculated loss.

[0027] It will be understood that the choice of splitting ratio for the splitter 60 need not provide exactly the same loss in both the working and protection paths. For practical reasons, a network might better use splitters 60 with only very few, for example three or even two different splitting ratios. For instance in the link described above, a 1:99 splitter 60 may be used for all paths wherein the highest link loss in either the working or protection path exceeds around 21.6 dB, while for those path pairs having losses below this value, 50:50 splitters may be used.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the splitting ration of the splitter 60 is adjustable. Such variable splitters are well known in the art and commercially available. The splitting ratio is controlled by means of a control signal. Preferably the power received by the receivers in the working and protection paths is monitored. Information on this received power is then relayed to the link or network management system, which in turn adjusts the splitting ratio of the variable splitter 60 to substantially equalise the power loss in the two paths. This allows the ratio of signal power to be adjusted while the system is in use. Changes in the link loss between working and protection paths resulting from system changes, such as the addition of more filters in an intermediate node, and also increasing loss due to ageing may then be compensated for as they occur.

[0029] While the invention has been discussed in relation to a ring configuration, it will be appreciated that it may equally well be applied to other configurations, such as point-to-point systems, hubbed rings, and more advanced optical networks. In some of these networks, it may be possible to provide more than one alternative path. 

1. An optical communication link including a first node (30, A) having transmission means (50) and a second node (30, E) with receiving means (40) and at least first and second optical fibre transmission paths (10, 20) connected in parallel between said first and second nodes, characterised by an optical signal splitter (60) for coupling signals from said transmitting means (50) to said at least two optical fibre paths, said splitter being arranged to divide the signal power from said transmitter unequally between said optical fibres.
 2. A link as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said splitter (60) has a splitting ratio that substantially equalises the signal power received through each optical fibre path.
 3. A link as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that said splitter (60) is a fused fibre coupler.
 4. A link as claimed in any previous claim, characterised in that the splitting ratio of said splitter (60) is at most 1:99.
 5. A link as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the splitting ratio of said splitter (60) is adjustable.
 6. An optical communications link including a first node (30, A) having a transmitter arrangement (50) and a second node (30, E) having two receivers (40), and two optical fibre transmission paths (100, 200) connected between said first node and the receivers of said second node for providing a working traffic path and a backup traffic path, characterised by an optical splitter (60) coupling said optical fibre paths to said transmission arrangement (50), said splitter being arranged to divide the signal power from said transmitter arrangement unequally between said working and backup signal paths.
 7. A link as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that said splitter is arranged to couple less optical power from said transmission means into the optical fibre path having the lower power losses than into the optical fibre path with the higher power losses.
 8. A link as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterised in that said splitter has a splitting ratio that substantially equalises the signal power received through each optical fibre path.
 9. A link as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the splitting ratio of said splitter (60) is adjustable.
 10. A link as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that said splitter (60) is a fused-fibre coupler.
 11. An optical communication network including a plurality of nodes (30) each including a transmitter arrangement (50) and two receiver arrangements (40), a pair of optical fibres (10, 20) being arranged to interconnect said nodes (30) and form a working transmission path and at least one protection transmission path (100, 200) between the transmitter arrangement of a first node and the receiver arrangements of a second node (30), characterised in that each node (30) includes signal splitter means (60) connecting said transmitter arrangement (50) to said two optical fibres (10, 20), wherein the splitter means in at least one node is arranged to divide the signal power unevenly between said working and protection transmission paths.
 12. A network as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that said splitter means (60) are arranged to couple more optical power from said transmitter arrangement into the transmission path having the higher power losses.
 13. A network as claimed in claim 10 or 11, characterised in that said splitter (60) has a splitting ratio that substantially equalises the signal power received through each transmission path between first and second nodes (30).
 14. A network as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the splitting ratio of said splitter (60) is adjustable.
 15. An optical network as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that said nodes (30) are connected in a ring with the working and protection paths between any two nodes running in opposite directions around the ring.
 16. A node for connection in an optical communications network, said node including transmission means (50) connected to at least two optical fibres, characterised by a signal power splitting arrangement (60) coupled between said transmission means and said optical fibres, the splitting arrangement being adapted to split the signal power unevenly between said optical fibres.
 17. An optical communication link including a first node (30, A) having transmission means (50) and a second node (30, E) with receiving means (40) and at least first and second optical fibre transmission paths (10, 20) connected in parallel between said first and second nodes, characterised by a variable optical signal splitter (60) for coupling signals from said transmitting means (50) to said at least two optical fibre paths, said splitter being adjustable to divide the signal power from said transmitting means so as to substantially equalise the signal power received through each optical fibre path. 